Talent is the most important currency our industry has to offer and the talent showcased in The Future 100 Club reflects what is brilliant about our people, writes the initiative’s first ambassador.

Our people are everything. That is exactly what I said in my first speech as IPA president last year and they are four simple words I profoundly stand by today.

I am where I am today largely because of the truly gifted people I have worked with over the years and I never want our industry to lose that ability to attract, nurture, harness and, of course, keep that talent.

But it is becoming harder. And that is why “People First” was an easy choice as my agenda during my tenure as IPA president.

As the trust survey commissioned by the Advertising Association, IPA and Isba outlined last year, we have a reputation challenge in our industry. We have a responsibility as leaders to fix that and it starts with creating environments where everyone — no matter your background, experience or age — can thrive.

And that comes with making sure they receive the opportunities that their talent deserves.

Shining a light

We must shine a light on those people who make a difference not just today, but those who will make a difference tomorrow and will one day be leaders themselves. That is why I am extremely proud to have been asked to take on the first-ever ambassadorial role for The Media Leader’s The Future 100 Club.

Because if just one person reads this and decides to put forward someone who works for them or wants to make sure a colleague or client gets the plaudits they so richly deserve, then it would have been worth it.

It feeds into the wider ambition we should all have as an industry to celebrate the amazing people we work with and to shout about why they are so brilliant, especially the ones who might not always get that sort of recognition.

That is what I like about The Future 100 Club — because it gives all of us the chance to shout about the ones who don’t shout themselves about their incredible contributions.

New skills

The initiative also promises the inductees each year to give them a platform and a voice, whether that is through attending events, speaking on stage or contributing to The Media Leader.

Finding ways to educate, train and help our people develop new skills is key and if being in The Future 100 Club offers that opportunity, then it can only be a good thing in my book.

I want people to feel proud of the industry in which they work but, even more important than that, to feel proud of the contribution they make. That feeling can start with something as simple as being nominated for an initiative like this.

It won’t solve all the industry’s problems, of course, but it will hopefully be part of getting us to open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to putting people first.